Lee esta historia en español Tens of thousands of renters in the Austin area may have had their rents set by landlords accused of using software to illegally fix prices, according to a Department of Justice lawsuit and an analysis of data by KUT. Last summer, the Department of Justice sued Texas-based software company RealPage, accusing it of […]
Development
Posted inHousing
City outlines proposed code changes to regulate short-term rentals
The city plans to move forward with an overhaul of its short-term rental regulations, with public hearings beginning next month to discuss the code amendments under consideration to manage the industry and collect Hotel Occupancy Tax from the more than 10,000 STRs believed to be operating throughout the area. The proposed changes are outlined in […]
Posted inPreservation
On the verge of demolition, neighborhood seeks recognition for Holy Cross Hospital
Recent history has given us little reason to take note of 2600 E. MLK Blvd., where for decades a vacant concrete building has served largely as a canvas for graffiti. But before it was scenery, Austinites traveled miles to visit, pursuing the latest breakthroughs in radiation treatment for cancer patients. The former Capital Area Research […]
Posted inPlanning
City and county to invest in historically underserved Northeast Austin area
At its Tuesday meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court heard an update on what Commissioner Jeff Travillion called a “Marshall Plan” for the rapidly developing Northeast Austin area, referring to the 1948 plan for the U.S. to help in Western Europe’s economic recovery after World War II. The Northeast Austin District Plan began in 2023 […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning memo details performance, possible changes for density bonus programs
A new analysis of the city’s density bonus programs finds mixed results in their ability to deliver community benefits such as affordable housing in new real estate projects. A memo released last week by Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt details the findings and recommendations of the analysis commissioned by the city and prepared by Clarion […]
Posted inDevelopment
Density proponents encouraged by HOME six-month progress report
The city of Austin’s Development Services Department has released its six-month report on the early outcomes of the Home Options for Mobility and Equity (HOME) Phase 1 initiative. A memo released last month by José G. Roig, director of DSD, analyzed the early results of the initiative, which took effect in February 2024 and was […]
Posted inDevelopment
Neighbors join forces to halt plans for new office space in Pecan Springs-Springdale
A proposal to upzone a residential cul-de-sac is ruffling feathers in the Pecan Springs-Springdale neighborhood, with a crowd of neighbors joining the Planning Commission meeting last week to voice their disapproval. The request originally sought to rezone 6102, 6106 and 6108 Cherrylawn Circle from single-family to mixed-use, laying the groundwork for the site of a […]
Posted inHousing
Real estate trends point toward stable growth even after Austin loses ‘supernova’ status
While Austin has moved out of the “supernova” growth phase among real estate markets across the nation, real estate and development professionals expect the Central Texas region to remain a hot spot in 2025 for many types of construction and property development. Urban Land Institute Austin’s monthly breakfast panel last week looked at what’s forecast […]
Posted inPlanning
City looks to expand parking and trails at Pennybacker Bridge
During its last meeting of the year, City Council made a move that its members hope will improve access to the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook for years to come. Council members voted unanimously to move forward with eminent domain proceedings to acquire about 1.5 acres near the Loop 360 overlook for an estimated $167,186. The land […]
Posted inHousing
Austin went on a land-buying spree in 2020. So far, little has been built on it.
Lee esta historia en español As Austin was coordinating Covid-19 test centers and trying to secure personal protective equipment at the start of the pandemic, it was also buying land. Lots of it. Thirteen acres by July 2020. Another 3 acres that fall. Six more acres in December. By the end of 2020, the city […]
Posted inPreservation
For local preservationists, Council facilitates a miracle on East 12th Street
City Hall was abuzz with more than just the holiday spirit last Thursday, with City Council adjourning its final meeting to the sound of cheers at a rare victory for preservationists at 1500 E. 12th St. The fate of the Eisenbeiser building, a historic grocery and saloon turned barbershop and music venue, seemed grim just […]
Posted inZoning
Southeast rezoning will allow huge increase in multifamily units
Last week, City Council gave final approval to developers who want to demolish 210 aging multifamily residences and replace them with 1,100 new units plus commercial development on Willow Creek Drive near Pleasant Valley Road in Southeast Austin. The 7-acre property at 2201 Willow Creek Drive will go from Multifamily Residence-Medium Density (MF-3) zoning to […]